China’s Xi and Russia’s Putin hold phone talks amid global diplomatic shifts

Beijing/Moscow, February 17, 2025 – Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation on Monday, according to Chinese state media Xinhua News.

The call, made at Moscow’s request, comes at a time of significant global diplomatic activity, with details of the discussion yet to be disclosed.

This marks the second phone call between the two leaders since US President Donald Trump assumed office last month, and it coincides with the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022. The timing underscores the continued strategic dialogue between Beijing and Moscow amid ongoing international tensions.

The conversation occurs against the backdrop of recent efforts to improve relations between Moscow and Washington. Last week, top US and Russian diplomats met in Saudi Arabia as part of discussions aimed at bringing an end to the conflict in Ukraine, and both countries are working to re-establish functional embassies after prolonged disruptions since the onset of the war.

While the specifics of Xi and Putin’s call remain under wraps, the discussion is seen as a continuation of ongoing consultations between the two nations. Observers note that the phone call highlights the evolving diplomatic landscape, where alliances and negotiations are increasingly influenced by regional conflicts and global power shifts.

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